Systems for producing an aerosol and related methods of use

ABSTRACT

Systems for producing an aerosol and related methods of use are described.

SUMMARY

In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a system comprising anebulizing body including at least one electro-mechanical nebulizingelement; and a replaceable cartridge including one or more fluidreservoirs, and a valve in fluid communication with the one or morefluid reservoirs. In some embodiments, the nebulizing body is configuredto releaseably receive the replaceable cartridge.

This forgoing summary is provided to introduce a selection of conceptsin a simplified form that are further described below in the DetailedDescription. This summary is not intended to identify key features ofthe claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid indetermining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a front view of a system in accordance with an embodiment ofthe disclosure;

FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the system of FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1C is a partially-exploded perspective view of the system of FIG.1A;

FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the system of FIG. 1A taken alonglines 1D-1D in FIG. 1A;

FIG. 1E is an isometric cutaway view of the system of FIG. 1A takenalong lines 1E-1E in FIG. 1B;

FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the system of FIG. 1C showing anaerosol discharged from the system;

FIG. 2B is another cross-section view of the system of FIG. 1A takenalong the lines 1D-1D in FIG. 1B showing an aerosol discharged from thesystem as a result of switch actuation;

FIG. 2C is an isometric cutaway view of the system of FIG. 2B takenalong lines 2C-2C in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a replaceable cartridge in accordancewith an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view of the replaceable cartridge of FIG.3A taken along the lines 3B-3B in FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an electro-mechanical nebulizing assemblyin accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a block diagrammatic illustration of the internal operatingstructure of the system of FIG. 1A and its associated internalassemblies in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.

Aspects and many of the attendant advantages of the claimed subjectmatter will become more readily appreciated as the same become betterunderstood by reference to the following detailed description, whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

The detailed description set forth below in connection with the appendeddrawings, where like numerals reference like elements, is intended as adescription of various embodiments of the disclosed subject matter andis not intended to represent the only embodiments. Each embodimentdescribed in this disclosure is provided merely as an example orillustration and should not be construed as preferred or advantageousover other embodiments. The illustrative examples provided herein arenot intended to be exhaustive or to limit the claimed subject matter tothe precise forms disclosed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Described herein are systems and methods for delivery of formulations inaerosol form onto skin. Certain conventional nebulizers couple with acartridge containing a formulation for application onto skin. It wouldbe advantageous to be able to use sequentially many cartridgescontaining various formulations with a single nebulizing body. However,many conventional nebulizers do not adjust the operation of nebulizingcomponents according to specific characteristics of a formulationdisposed in a cartridge coupled thereto, such as formulation viscosity.Accordingly, during operation such conventional nebulizers may fail toconvert all or some of the formulation from a liquid to a mist of finedroplets, for example, because they provide insufficient power to thenebulizing components.

Further, many conventional nebulizers couple with cartridges containingformulations for application onto the skin in a way that permanentlyopens the cartridge. In this regard, formulation remaining in thecartridge may leak from one or more portions of the cartridge when thecartridge is uncoupled from the nebulizer. Accordingly, a user cannotreplace a first cartridge that is not completely empty with anothercartridge without remaining formulation leaking from the firstcartridge. Additionally, any such remaining formulation maybe alteredby, for example, exposure to air due to permanently opening thecartridge, thus rendering it unsuitable for future use.

To that end, the following discussion provides examples of systemsincluding a nebulizing body including at least one electro-mechanicalnebulizing element; and a replaceable cartridge including one or morefluid reservoirs; and a valve in fluid communication with the one ormore fluid reservoirs, wherein the nebulizing body is configured toreleaseably receive the replaceable cartridge. As will be described inmore detail below, in an embodiment the valve is in a closed state whenthe replaceable cartridge is not received by and engaged with thenebulizing body. In that regard, a formulation disposed with the fluidreservoir will not leak or otherwise leave the fluid reservoir when thereplaceable cartridge is not received by and engaged with the nebulizingbody. Additionally, as discussed further herein, in an embodiment, thesystems described herein include discharge aerosol circuitry operablycoupled to the at least one electro-mechanical nebulizing element andconfigured to generate a discharge aerosol responsive to one or moreinputs indicative of a replaceable cartridge identification. In thisregard, in an embodiment the systems described herein are configured tooperate the electro-mechanical nebulizing element according to aformulation disposed within the fluid reservoir to discharge an aerosoltherefrom.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth inorder to provide a thorough understanding of one or more embodiments ofthe present disclosure. It will be apparent to one skilled in the art,however, that many embodiments of the present disclosure may bepracticed without some or all of the specific details. In someinstances, well-known process steps have not been described in detail inorder not to unnecessarily obscure various aspects of the presentdisclosure. Further, it will be appreciated that embodiments of thepresent disclosure may employ any combination of features describedherein.

FIG. 1A is a front view of a system 100 in accordance with an embodimentof the disclosure. FIG. 1B is a top plan view of the system 100 of FIG.1A. FIG. 1C is a partially-exploded perspective view of the system 100of FIG. 1A. FIG. 1D is a cross-sectional view of the system 100 of FIG.1A taken along lines 1D-1D in FIG. 1A. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1D, anembodiment of system 100 includes a nebulizing body 120 including anebulizing assembly 122. The system 100 further includes a replaceablecartridge 110 including a fluid reservoir 114 and a valve 112 in fluidcommunication with the fluid reservoir 114. FIG. 1C is apartially-exploded view of the system 100 illustrating one embodiment ofthe replaceable cartridge 110 uncoupled from nebulizing body 120.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1A, 1B, 1D, and 1E, the replaceable cartridge110 is releaseably received by the nebulizing body 120. As used herein,the replaceable cartridge 110 is releaseably received by the nebulizingbody when the replaceable cartridge 110 is securely but removablycoupled to the nebulizing body 120. In this regard and as discussedfurther herein, the replaceable cartridge 110 is releaseably received bythe nebulizing body 120 such that the replaceable cartridge 110 can besecurely coupled to and subsequently released by the nebulizing body 120one or more times. In an embodiment, the replaceable cartridge 110includes one or more detents 117 and the nebulizing body 120 includesdetent-receiving structures, or vice versa, both of which are configuredto cooperatively and removeably couple the replaceable cartridge 110 andthe nebulizing body 120. Of course, the system 100 can include othercooperatively-coupling structures, such as threads configured toremoveably couple the replaceable cartridge 110 and the nebulizing body120.

In an embodiment, the nebulizing body 120 is configured to releaseablyreceive the replaceable cartridge 110 without engaging with thereleasable cartridge 100, thus leaving the valve 112 in a closed state,as illustrated in FIG. 1D. As used herein, the replaceable cartridge 110is engaged with the nebulizing body 120 when the valve 112 is in an openstate and the fluid reservoir 114 of the replaceable cartridge 110 is influid communication with the nebulizing assembly 122. Accordingly, thevalve 112 is in a closed state when the replaceable cartridge 110 is notengaged with the nebulizing body 120. Thus, when the replaceablecartridge 110 is not engaged with the nebulizing body 120, the fluidreservoir 114 is not coupled in fluid communication with the nebulizingassembly 122. In this regard, the replaceable cartridge 110 in anunengaged configuration is received by the nebulizing body 120 and,accordingly, the valve 112 is in a closed state, as illustrated FIGS. 1Dand 1E.

Alternatively, the valve 112 is in an open state and the fluid reservoir114 is coupled in fluid communication with the at least one nebulizingassembly 122 when the replaceable cartridge 110 is received by andengaged with the nebulizing body 120. In this regard, attention isdirected to FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C, in which a configuration of the system100 according to embodiments of the disclosure is illustrated. Referringto FIG. 2B and 2C, the replaceable cartridge 110 is shown releaseablyreceived by the nebulizing body 120 by detents 117. In order to beengaged, the nebulizing body 120 in some embodiments includes anactuatable switch 128 configured to selectively place the valve 112 inan open state.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1D, 1E, 2B, and 2C, the nebulizingbody 120 includes a switch 128 operatively coupled to a cam 126, whichis, in turn, operatively coupled to a push rod 124. In this embodiment,the cam 126 pivots about pivot 130 against a biasing force of a spring180. In an embodiment, the spring 180 biases the cam 126 into a firstposition in which the valve 112 in a closed position, as illustrated inFIGS. 1D and 1E. In use, as the switch 128 is selectively actuated viamovement (e.g., linear movement, etc.), such as by the hand of a user,from the first position, as illustrated in FIG. 1D and 1E, to a secondposition, as illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the cam 126 is rotated (inthe direction of the arrow) against the biasing force of the spring 180.Rotation of the cam 126 causes the push rod 124 to be moved (e.g.,linearly, etc.) to place the valve 112 in an open state. In this regard,the valve 112 is placed in an open state and the fluid reservoir 114 iscoupled in fluid communication with the nebulizing assembly 122 when theswitch 128 is activated, such as by the hand of a user. Removal of thehand of the user from the switch 128 allows the biasing force of thespring 180 to return the cam 126 and the switch 128 the non-engagedposition (e.g., unactuated position, etc.) as shown in FIGS. 1D and 1E

In an embodiment, when the switch 128 is activated the valve 112 isplaced in an open state and the discharge aerosol circuitry (discussedfurther herein with respect to FIG. 5), which is operably coupled to thenebulizing assembly 122, is activated, thereby causing an aerosol A tobe discharged from the system 100, as illustrated in FIGS. 2A, 2B, and2C. As illustrated in FIG. 2C, in an embodiment, when the valve 112 inan open state, fluid in the fluid reservoir 114 is allowed to flow pastvalve seal 159 and into a space 132 that is disposed in fluid contactwith the nebulizing assembly 122. In this regard, an aerosol A isdischarged by the system 100 when the valve 112 is in an open state.This is in contrast to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1D, in whichthe valve seal 159 is shown disposed against the valve seat 163, therebyplacing the valve 112 in a closed state. In an embodiment, element 161forms part of a valve seal. In an embodiment, element 161 forms part ofa valve stop.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes an input assembly, such asinput assembly 162 (see FIG. 5) in addition to switch 128. As discussedfurther herein with respect to FIG. 5, in an embodiment, the dischargeaerosol circuitry is triggered (e.g., receive an input, electronicallyactuated, energized, etc.) to activate the nebulizing assembly 122 fromthe input assembly, thereby discharging aerosol A from system 100. Inthis regard, the fluid reservoir 114 is placed in fluid communicationwith the nebulizing assembly 122 through activation of the switch 128and the nebulizing assembly 122 is activated in response to activationof the input assembly.

Referring to FIGS. 3A and 3B, the replaceable cartridge 110 includingvalve 112 is illustrated separately from the nebulizing body 120. Thereplaceable cartridge 110 is illustrated to include cartridge body 111and a cartridge top 118, which, when coupled, define in part the fluidreservoir 114. In the illustrated embodiment, the valve 112 includesstop 161 coupled to shaft 156 and configured to limit the movement ofshaft 156. In the illustrated embodiment, valve 112 also includes guide158 slideably disposed around a portion of shaft 156 and configured toguide the movement of shaft 156 as it travels in opening and closing thevalve 112. In FIGS. 3A and 3B, the replaceable cartridge 110 is shown toinclude protective seal 150, such a paper or plastic protective seal,configured to be removed by a user prior to use or punctured by couplingthe removable cartridge 110 to the nebulizing body 120.

In operation, when the replaceable cartridge 110 is received by thenebulizing body 120 and, for example, the switch 128 has been activated(e.g., moved linearly, displaced, engaged, etc.), the push rod 124displaces a valve seal 159 from the valve seat 163, thereby placing thevalve 112 in an open state, as illustrated in FIG. 2C. Referring to FIG.3A, the valve 112 is shown to include an annular ring 154 configured tocooperatively engage with nebulizing body 120 to provide a fluid-tightseal between the replaceable cartridge 110 and space 132 disposed withinnebulizing body 120 (See FIG. 2C). In this regard, the valve 112 isconfigured to direct any fluid in the fluid reservoir 114 to thenebulizing assembly 122. Further, when the replaceable cartridge 110 isengaged with and received by the nebulizing body 120 and, accordingly,the valve 112 is an open state, fluid from the replaceable cartridge 110is prevented from entering other portions of the nebulizing body 120.

It will be appreciated that valve 112 can be any valve configured toselectively place fluid reservoir 114 in fluid communication withnebulizing assembly 122 when the replaceable cartridge 110 is receivedby and engaged with the nebulizing body 120. In an embodiment, the valve112 operates as a one-way valve, such as a check valve. In anembodiment, the check valve can be of the ball type, the diaphragm type,or of the swing type. In an embodiment, valve 112 is a two-way valve.

In an embodiment, the replaceable cartridge 110 includes a fluiddisposed in the fluid reservoir 114. In an embodiment, the replaceablecartridge 110 includes a cosmetic or dermatological formulation disposedin the fluid reservoir 114. In an embodiment, the cosmetic ordermatological formulation includes a composition chosen from afoundation, a perfume, a moisturizer, a self-tanning agent, a lotion forthe body or the face, a composition containing a hair agent, a sunscreencomposition, and combinations thereof, among others.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes two or more replaceablecartridges 110 each configured to be received by and engage with thenebulizing body 120. In an embodiment, each of the two or morereplaceable cartridges 110 includes an identifier 116 configured to emitan input for receipt by cartridge identification circuitry (See FIG. 5).The input is indicative of the formulation disposed in the respectivefluid reservoirs 114.

Referring to FIG. 4, a nebulizing assembly 122 formed in accordance withan exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure and configured for usewith system 100 will now be described in detail. As noted above, thenebulizing assembly 122 is configured to produce on-demand aerosol. Theterms “nebulize,” “nebulizing,” etc., should be construed to includeatomizing, misting, generating an aerosol, reducing to fine particles orspray, etc.

As shown in FIG. 4, the nebulizing assembly 122 generally includes atleast one electro-mechanical nebulizing element 123, such as apiezoelectric element, fluidically coupled to the fluid reservoir 114(FIG. 1D) when the valve 112 is in an open state and configured todischarge an aerosol (See FIGS. 2A-2C). In an embodiment, the nebulizingassembly 122 includes a mesh 125, such as a metallic mesh, disposedadjacent to the electro-mechanical nebulizing element 123, whichreceives a fluid from the fluid reservoir 114 of the replaceablecartridge 112. In the illustrated embodiment, the electro-mechanicalnebulizing element 123 concentrically surrounds the mesh 125. In anembodiment, the nebulizing assembly 122 is a vibrating mesh dispenserassembly including a mesh 125 including apertures that is concentricallysurrounded by the electro-mechanical nebulizing element 123. In anembodiment, the nebulizing assembly 122 is configured to discharge anaerosol including particles having an average diameter of less than 100nm.

In an embodiment, the nebulizing assembly 122 is received within thereplaceable cartridge 110. In an embodiment, the nebulizing assembly 122is received within the nebulizing body 120. In an embodiment, thenebulizing assembly 122 includes replaceable nebulizing elements 123.

In an embodiment, during use, the electro-mechanical nebulizing element123 contracts and expands upon the application of an alternatingelectric current, and consequently, the electro-mechanical nebulizingelement 123 vibrates. When a liquid, such as a formulation from thefluid reservoir 114 of the replaceable cartridge 110, is in contact withthe vibrating mesh 125, pressure builds in the vicinity of the mesh 125,creating a pumping action that extrudes the formulation through theapertures. When the mesh 125 vibrates at a sufficient frequency and withsufficient power, an aerosol A is formed from the formulation, which isemitted from the system 100 through mesh 125.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes suitable circuitry foridentifying one or more replaceable cartridges 110 received by thenebulizing body 120 and suitable circuitry for sending at least oneoutput signal indicative of the identified replaceable cartridge(s) 110for controlling and/or activating the nebulizing assembly 122. In thatregard, attention is directed back to FIG. 2B, where a system 100including circuitry for identifying one or more replaceable cartridgesin accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.In the illustrated embodiment, replaceable cartridge 110 includes anidentifier 116. The nebulizing body 120 includes cartridgeidentification assembly 172 (not shown in FIG. 2B). As discussed furtherherein with respect to FIG. 5, in certain embodiments the identifier 116includes circuitry configured to generate one or more inputs for receiptby the cartridge identification circuitry disposed within the cartridgeidentification assembly 172.

An embodiment of the internal operating structure of the system 100 andits associated internal assemblies is shown in block diagrammatic formin FIG. 5. An exemplary operating structure of the system 100 includes aprogrammed microcontroller or processor 160 configured to control thedelivery of power to the nebulizing assembly 122 from the power storagesource 164. Further, the processor 160 is configured to operate inaccordance with program instructions stored in memory 166 or otherwisestored in hardware format for controlling aspects of the nebulizingassembly 122.

In the embodiment shown, the nebulizing assembly 122 includes dischargeaerosol circuitry 178 operably coupled to the electro-mechanicalnebulizing element 123 and configured to activate the electro-mechanicalnebulizing element 123 to generate a discharge aerosol A (See FIGS.2A-2C). In one embodiment, the electro-mechanical nebulizing element 123includes a piezoelectric element that defines part of the nebulizingassembly 122. The discharge aerosol circuitry 178 is configured toactivate the nebulizing assembly 122 in response to inputs received fromthe processor 160, inputs received from one or more modules stored inthe memory 166, such as the nebulizing assembly module 168 and thecartridge identification assembly module 170, and/or inputs receivedfrom other assemblies (such as the input assembly 162 and the identifier116). In an embodiment the nebulizing assembly module 168 and thecartridge identification assembly module 170 includes any suitableprograms, files, or instructions for activating and controlling thenebulizing assembly 122.

The discharge aerosol circuitry 178 can be configured to receive inputfrom an input assembly 162 (which may include an on/off button, a poweradjust button, a mode control button, a nebulizing button, etc.). In anembodiment, the input assembly 162 is configured and arranged toselectively deliver power from the power storage source 164 to thenebulizing assembly 122, thereby generating aerosol A.

In an embodiment, the system 100 includes discharge aerosol circuitry178 operably coupled to the nebulizing assembly 122 and configured togenerate a discharge aerosol A responsive to one or more inputsindicative of a replaceable cartridge 110 identification. In thisregard, in an embodiment, the system 100 includes a cartridgeidentification assembly 172 including cartridge identification circuitry174, operably coupled to the discharge aerosol circuitry 178. In thisregard, the cartridge identification assembly 172 is configured toreceive one or more inputs from an identifier 116 carried by thereplaceable cartridge 110 and to generate the one or more inputsindicative of a replaceable cartridge 110 identification for receipt bythe cartridge identification circuitry 174.

In an embodiment, the one or more inputs indicative of a replaceablecartridge 110 identification correspond to a fluid disposed in the fluidreservoir 114, and wherein the discharge aerosol circuitry 178 isconfigured to operate the nebulizing assembly 122 based on the fluiddisposed in the fluid reservoir 114. In this regard, in an embodiment,the system 100 is configured to operate the nebulizing assembly 122based on, for example, a viscosity of a formulation disposed in thefluid reservoir 114. For example, an embodiment, the nebulizing assemblymodule 168 includes instructions configured to control the delivery ofpower to the nebulizing assembly 122 from the power storage source 164controlling an oscillation frequency and an oscillation amplitude of theelectro-mechanical nebulizing element 123 tailored to the viscosity ofthe particular fluid in the fluid reservoir 114. In this regard,sufficient power is provided to the nebulizing assembly 122 to nebulizethe formulation and emit an aerosol A from the system 100.

In an embodiment, the cartridge identification assembly 172 isoperatively coupled to the replaceable cartridge 110 by one or more of awired connection or a wireless connection. In an embodiment, thewireless connection is a direct wireless connection, such as a Bluetoothconnection, a near field communication (NFC) connection, a direct WiFiconnection, or any other direct wireless connection. In an embodiment,the cartridge identification circuitry 174 includes one of a reader of aradio-frequency identification device and a near-field communicationsinitiator and the replaceable cartridge 110 includes correspondingcircuitry configured to communicate with the cartridge identificationcircuitry 174.

In an embodiment, the identifier 116 includes a portion configured tocouple with the cartridge identification circuitry 174 having anelectrical resistance indicative of the replaceable cartridge 110. In anembodiment, the identifier 116 includes one or more mechanical featuresindicative of the replaceable cartridge 110 and configured to engagewith one or more switches included in the cartridge identificationcircuitry 174.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein utilize circuitry in order toimplement treatment protocols, operably couple two or more components,generate information, determine operation conditions, control anappliance or method, process signals, and/or the like. Circuitry of anytype can be used. In an embodiment, circuitry includes, among otherthings, one or more computing devices such as a processor (e.g., amicroprocessor), a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signalprocessor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), afield-programmable gate array (FPGA), or the like, or any combinationsthereof, and can include discrete digital or analog circuit elements orelectronics, or combinations thereof. In an embodiment, circuitryincludes one or more ASICs having a plurality of predefined logiccomponents. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more FPGA havinga plurality of programmable logic components.

In an embodiment, circuitry includes hardware circuit implementations(e.g., implementations in analog circuitry, implementations in digitalcircuitry, and the like, and combinations thereof). In an embodiment,circuitry includes combinations of circuits and computer programproducts having software or firmware instructions stored on one or morecomputer readable memories that work together to cause a device toperform one or more methodologies or technologies described herein. Inan embodiment, circuitry includes circuits, such as, for example,microprocessors or portions of microprocessor, that require software,firmware, and the like for operation. In an embodiment, circuitryincludes an implementation comprising one or more processors or portionsthereof and accompanying software, firmware, hardware, and the like. Inan embodiment, circuitry includes a baseband integrated circuit orapplications processor integrated circuit or a similar integratedcircuit in a server, a cellular network device, other network device, orother computing device. In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or moreremotely located components. In an embodiment, remotely locatedcomponents are operably coupled via wireless communication. In anembodiment, remotely located components are operably coupled via one ormore receivers, transmitters, transceivers, or the like.

In an embodiment, circuitry includes one or more memory devices that,for example, store instructions or data. Non-limiting examples of one ormore memory devices include volatile memory (e.g., Random Access Memory(RAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), or the like), non-volatilememory (e.g., Read-Only Memory (ROM), Electrically Erasable ProgrammableRead-Only Memory (EEPROM), Compact Disc Read-Only Memory (CD-ROM), orthe like), persistent memory, or the like. Further non-limiting examplesof one or more memory devices include Erasable Programmable Read-OnlyMemory (EPROM), flash memory, or the like. The one or more memorydevices can be coupled to, for example, one or more computing devices byone or more instructions, data, or power buses.

In an embodiment, circuitry of the system 100 includes acomputer-readable media drive or memory slot configured to acceptsignal-bearing medium (e.g., computer-readable memory media,computer-readable recording media, or the like). In an embodiment, aprogram for causing a system to execute any of the disclosed methods canbe stored on, for example, a computer-readable recording medium (CRMM),a signal-bearing medium, or the like. Non-limiting examples ofsignal-bearing media include a recordable type medium such as any formof flash memory, magnetic tape, floppy disk, a hard disk drive, aCompact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), Blu-Ray Disc, a digitaltape, a computer memory, or the like, as well as transmission typemedium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., afiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wirelesscommunication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transceiver,transmission logic, reception logic, etc.). Further non-limitingexamples of signal-bearing media include, but are not limited to,DVD-ROM, DVD-RAM, DVD+RW, DVD-RW, DVD-R, DVD+R, CD-ROM, Super Audio CD,CD-R, CD+R, CD+RW, CD-RW, Video Compact Discs, Super Video Discs, flashmemory, magnetic tape, magneto-optic disk, MINIDISC, non-volatile memorycard, EEPROM, optical disk, optical storage, RAM, ROM, system memory,web server, or the like.

It should be noted that for purposes of this disclosure, terminologysuch as “upper,” “lower,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” “inwardly,”“outwardly,” “inner,” “outer,” “front,” “rear,” etc., should beconstrued as descriptive and not limiting the scope of the claimedsubject matter. Further, the use of “including,” “comprising,” or“having” and variations thereof herein is meant to encompass the itemslisted thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.Unless limited otherwise, the terms “connected,” “coupled,” and“mounted” and variations thereof herein are used broadly and encompassdirect and indirect connections, couplings, and mountings. The term“about” means plus or minus 5% of the stated value.

The principles, representative embodiments, and modes of operation ofthe present disclosure have been described in the foregoing description.However, aspects of the present disclosure which are intended to beprotected are not to be construed as limited to the particularembodiments disclosed. Further, the embodiments described herein are tobe regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive. It will beappreciated that variations and changes may be made by others, andequivalents employed, without departing from the spirit of the presentdisclosure. Accordingly, it is expressly intended that all suchvariations, changes, and equivalents fall within the spirit and scope ofthe present disclosure, as claimed.

The embodiments of the invention in which an exclusive property orprivilege is claimed are defined as follows:
 1. A system comprising: anebulizing body including at least one electro-mechanical nebulizingelement; and a replaceable cartridge including one or more fluidreservoirs and a valve in fluid communication with the one or more fluidreservoirs, wherein the nebulizing body is configured to releaseablyreceive the replaceable cartridge.
 2. The system of claim 1, wherein thevalve is in an open state and the one or more fluid reservoirs arecoupled in fluid communication with the at least one electro-mechanicalnebulizing element when the replaceable cartridge is received by andengaged with the nebulizing body.
 3. The system of claim 1, wherein thevalve is in a closed state and the one or more fluid reservoirs are notcoupled in fluid communication with the at least one electro-mechanicalnebulizing element in an unengaged configuration.
 4. The system of claim1, wherein nebulizing body is configured to releaseably receive thereplaceable cartridge without engaging with the replaceable cartridge.5. The system of claim 4, wherein the nebulizing body includes a switchconfigured to selectively engage the replaceable cartridge when thereplaceable cartridge is releaseably received by the nebulizing body,thereby placing the valve in an open state.
 6. The system of claim 1,wherein the nebulizing body and the replaceable cartridge arecooperatively configured such that the replaceable cartridge can bereleaseably received by and engaged with the nebulizing body afterhaving been previously releaseably received by and engaged with thenebulizing body.
 7. The system of claim 1, further comprising dischargeaerosol circuitry operably coupled to the at least oneelectro-mechanical nebulizing element and configured to generate adischarge aerosol responsive to one or more inputs indicative of areplaceable cartridge identification.
 8. The system of claim 7, furthercomprising cartridge identification circuitry operably coupled to thedischarge aerosol circuitry, the cartridge identification circuitryconfigured to receive one or more inputs from an identifier carried bythe replaceable cartridge and to generate the one or more inputsindicative of a replaceable cartridge identification for receipt by theaerosol discharge circuitry.
 9. The system of claim 8, wherein thecartridge identification circuitry includes one of a reader of aradio-frequency identification device and a near-field communicationsinitiator.
 10. The system of claim 8, wherein the replaceable cartridgeincludes an identifier configured to receive one or more inputs from thecartridge identification circuitry and generate the one or more inputsindicative of a replaceable cartridge identification for receipt by thecartridge identification circuitry.
 11. The system of claim 8, whereinthe identifier includes a portion configured to couple with thecartridge identification circuitry having an electrical resistanceindicative of the replaceable cartridge.
 12. The system of claim 8,wherein the identifier includes one or more mechanical featuresindicative of the replaceable cartridge configured to engage with one ormore switches included in the cartridge identification circuitry. 13.The system of claim 7, wherein the one or more inputs indicative of areplaceable cartridge identification corresponds to one or more fluidsdisposed in the one or more fluid reservoirs, and wherein the dischargeaerosol circuitry is configured to operate the at least oneelectro-mechanical nebulizing element based on the one or more fluidsdisposed in the one or more fluid reservoirs.
 14. The system of claim 7,wherein the replaceable cartridge is a first replaceable cartridge, thesystem further comprising a second replaceable cartridge including oneor more fluid reservoirs and configured to be releaseably received bythe nebulizing body; a valve in fluid communication with the one or morefluid reservoirs; and a second identifier configured to generate one ormore inputs indicative of a second replaceable cartridge identification.15. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more inputs indicative ofa second replaceable cartridge identification correspond to one or morefluids disposed in the one or more fluid reservoirs of the secondreplaceable cartridge, and wherein the discharge aerosol circuitry isconfigured to operate the at least one electro-mechanical nebulizingelement based on the one or more fluids disposed in the one or morefluid reservoirs of the second replaceable cartridge.
 16. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the replaceable cartridge includes a cosmetic ordermatological composition disposed in the one or more fluid reservoirs.17. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one electro-mechanicalnebulizing element includes a piezoelectric element configured to be influid communication with the one or more fluid reservoirs of thereplaceable cartridge when the valve is in an open state.
 18. The systemof claim 17, wherein the at least one electro-mechanical nebulizingelement further includes a mesh disposed adjacent to the piezoelectricelement and separated from the piezoelectric element by a spaceconfigured to receive a fluid from the one or more fluid reservoirs ofthe replaceable cartridge.
 19. The system of claim 1, wherein the atleast one electro-mechanical nebulizing element is configured todischarge an aerosol including particles having an average diameter ofless than 100 μm.
 20. The system of claim 17, further comprisingdischarge aerosol circuitry operably coupled to the at least oneelectro-mechanical nebulizing element including the piezoelectricelement and configured to apply an electrical field to the piezoelectricelement, the electrical field having a frequency and an amplituderesponsive to one or more inputs indicative of a replaceable cartridgeidentification.